HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-12 New Temporary Shelter Construction at County's Old Airport Park in Kona on Saturday -- press release v2
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
June 12, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
New Emergency Shelter Construction at County’s Old Kona Airport Park
A new temporary emergency shelter, Na Lamakū, kicks off on Saturday with
construction of 18 temporary shelters at the County’s Old Kona Airport Park in Kona.
More than 50 volunteers, including members of the County Fire Department Recruit
Class, will be pitching in to build the shelters. Tinguely Development has been on site all
week, working in partnership with the County in prepare the site for vertical construction.
The temporary shelters, measuring 10 x 8 feet each, will be ready for occupancy next
week and will accommodate individuals experiencing homelessness. Each unit can
house up to two people. Community outreach teams are working to identify and engage
with eligible individuals, who could number up to 30 people.
“We are so grateful for the tremendous generosity of Tinguely Development, who’s
working on the pre-construction work pro bono,” said Mayor Harry Kim. “They tell us
they’re doing this to give back to the community, and we deeply appreciate it.”
HOPE Services Hawai‘i is working in partnership with other social service agencies to
deliver 24/7 shelter monitoring services, delivery of “grab & go” meals, and the
coordination of on-site mental and behavioral health services. They will also provide
case management to connect program participants to appropriate permanent housing.
Sharon Hirota, the Mayor’s Executive Assistant in charge of homelessness, thanked the
County’s Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, State Department of Transportation,
Tinguely Development, HPM Building Supply, the West Hawai‘i Rotary Clubs and
HOPE Services Hawai‘i and their partners for making Na Lamakū a reality.
The shelters are expected to remain on-site through the end of the year, and by then a
more permanent facility will be ready on Kealakehe Parkway.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.